types of witch hazel

We always prefer the alcohol free version, as it can be drying. The large, rounded, dark green leaves often hang onto the winter branches. Many people produced witch hazel extract by boiling the stems of the shrub and producing a decoction, which was used to treat swellings, inflammations, and tumors. Witch hazel’s therapeutic properties gained widespread acceptance in the United States in 1866. The plant, including the crude leaf and bark, is used in a Common witch-hazel is a large shrub with a picturesque irregular branching habit that naturally grows along woodland edges. This plant material is soaked in warm water, followed by distillation and the addition of alcohol to the distillate. Most noteworthy cultivars include, Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), 12 Great Witch Hazel Varieties For The All-Season Garden. [10] There is no good clinical evidence for its other purported traditional uses, including gastrointestinal illnesses (diarrhea), common colds, tuberculosis, and inflammation. Growth Rate This shrub grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 13–24" per year. More manageable in size, it blooms anywhere from late February to March. Witch Hazel & Beaded Row Extensions . Most of the reputable toner brands are alcohol-free, though some are not. Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner is a classic and affordable option. Witch hazel is a natural remedy made from the bark and leaves of a plant called Hamamelis virginiana. The witch hazel is a blooming highlight in wintry gardens. Common Types of Witch-Hazel Most of the six species in the Hamamelis genus bloom January through March, and only Hamamelis virginiana blooms September through November. The North American species are occasionally called winterbloom.[2][3]. [16], A missionary, Dr. Charles Hawes, learned of the preparation's therapeutic properties, and then determined through extensive study that the product of distillation (likely steam distillation) of the plant's twigs was even more efficacious. Both are winter-blooming. Applying witch hazel to the skin is the most common way it is used -- and the safest. "Comparative Efficacy of Hamamelis Distillate and Hydrocortisone. The plant-hunter Charles Maries collected for Veitch Nurseries in the Chinese district of Jiujiang in 1879. Witch hazel is a botanical extract made from the bark and leaves of the shrub plant Hamamelis virginiana. As a result, the shrubs are less hardy than other cultivars. For much of the year, witch hazel, or winterbloom, is a shrub that grows mostly unnoticed along shaded stream banks and in damp woods from Georgia to southern Canada. Those are among the uses of this herb that ha… For more information about this versatile, winter-flowering shrub, check out Chicago Botanic Garden’s “Which Witch Hazel Should Be In Your Yard.”. Japanese witch hazel. For me, there’s nothing quite like the appearance of witch hazel’s fragrant, shaggy flowers to signal spring is finally on its way. Ready to give witch hazel a try? It is hardy in zones 3 to 8. [11] Witch-hazel is mainly used externally on hemorrhoids, minor bleeding, and skin irritation. Hamamelis Mollis is referred to as Chinese witch hazel and has bright yellow flowers with red centers. The trial features 22 cultivars of Hamamelis x intermedia, the hybrid witch hazels born from the cross between two species' parents: Hamamelis mollis (Chinese witch hazel) and Hamamelis japonica (Japanese witch hazel). Pre-clean with castor oil and apply witch hazel to a cotton ball or pad and sweep it over your face and neck. Some of the most common uses … Korting, H. C., et al. The yellow, strap-like flowers of this native shrub are among the last blooms to appear in fall, but are often hidden by the leaves. Most species also need a chilling period of at least 2 months with temperatures below 45 degrees to ensure flowering. It is the most fragrant type of witch hazel and will … Other closely allied genera are Parrotiopsis, Fothergilla, and Sycopsis (see under Hamamelidaceae). And H. vernalis grows in the southern and central part of the country and blooms in late winter. [12] There is high-quality clinical evidence,[13] as well as use in folk medicine, suggesting witch-hazel can ease discomfort involving vaginal soreness and hemorrhoids while they heal after childbirth. Recently, a cross between the two species has produced the hybrid. More delicate than the other witch hazel varieties, hamamelis japonica can’t handle extremes in cold weather. Witch hazel is a botanical ingredient often used in skin toners. [16][20], Although not fatal, oral consumption of witch hazel water is potentially toxic resulting from the high content of tannins remaining in commercial products. [clarification needed]. The petals roll up on cold days. This followed the first commercial introduction of an astringent made from its bark and leaves by Thomas Newton Dickinson. Witch hazel is a widely known plant with a lengthy history of use in the Americas. The main constituents of witch-hazel extract include calcium oxalate, gallotannins, safrole, and chemicals found in the essential oil (carvacrol, eugenol). That being said, it will do OK in dappled shade. The petals roll up on cold days. While certain types of acne (such as cysts and pustules) are inflammatory, witch hazel may possible benefit noninflammatory acne (blackheads and … [10], Witch-hazel is typically sold in pharmacies as witch-hazel water[3][10] and as semisolid ointments, creams, gels, and salves. TYPES OF WITCH HAZEL There are four main types: Hybrids of Japanese witch hazel (H. japonica) and Chinese witch hazel (H. mollis), which bloom from mid-late winter, were bred for enhanced qualities of flowers (larger and better color), intense fragrance and brilliant fall … It is hardy in zones 3 to 8. Learn how your comment data is processed. If you would like to learn more about witch hazel, please come join the Arboretum Director, Claudia Kent, on Friday, February 21st for a winter-themed walk around the Arboretum featuring various types of witch hazel and other winter shrubs! Witch Hazel is an animated cartoon character in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons and TV shows. Witch hazel is native to both North America and Asia and is composed of four main species. Types of Witch Hazel Products Witch Hazel Toner. Pre-clean with castor oil and apply witch hazel to a cotton ball or pad and sweep it over your face and neck. Long used in traditional medicine, witch hazel is usually applied topically in order to treat certain skin conditions. Here’s our process. tb1234. Witch hazel. Tree Type Mature Size Witchhazel grows to a height of 15–30' and a spread of 15–25' at maturity. The hazel family, Hamamelidaceae, is comprised of over 100 species of trees and shrubs, including winter hazels, ironwoods, sweetgums, and the witch hazels. [17] Early Puritan settlers in New England adopted this remedy from the natives, and its use became widely established in the United States. Each flower has four slender strap-shaped petals 3⁄8–3⁄4 inch (0.95–1.91 cm) long, pale to dark yellow, orange, or red. tb1234. [5] Jacob George Strutt's 1822 book, Sylva Britannica attests that "Wych Hazel" was used in England as a synonym for wych elm, Ulmus glabra;[6] The use of the twigs as divining rods, just as hazel twigs were used in England, may also have,[citation needed] by folk etymology, influenced the "witch" part of the name. To use witch hazel as a toner, wash your face and dry it, or use your regular skin cleanser routine. From this family, the Garden exhibits not only species types but also hybrids; in total there are hundreds of winter-flowering witch hazel (Hamamelis spp.) H. virginiana grows in the eastern part of the United States and blooms in late fall. The astringent witch hazel is distilled from the bark of this plant. Jelena and Robert de Belder of Arboretum Kalmthout, selecting for red cultivars, found three: the first, with bronze flowers, was named 'Jelena'; the next, with red flowers, was named 'Diane' (the name of their daughter); the last, with deep red flowers, was called 'Livia' (the name of their granddaughter). Witch hazel is easy to grow in a variety of conditions. Witch hazel is safe for most skin types, including sensitive skin. Our small overview shows which these are. This variety produces flowers that are typically bright yellow, although some cultivars produce reddish ones. Witch-hazel is a small deciduous shrub belonging to a group of flowering plants in the genus Hamamelis. The flowers can range from bright yellow and orange to red on top of brown branches. “Witch hazel is a tree-like plant indigenous to North America and parts of Asia,” says Dr. Schlessinger. Antiviral and Antiphlogistic Activities of Hamamelis virginiana Bark. All of these produce flowers with strap-like crumpled petals. Concept and creation. American Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) – Also known as common witch hazel, this species is native to the eastern forests of the U.S. and Canada. In addition to its aesthetic properties, hamamelis extract can be used externally to treat swelling and inflammation. [21], In the United States, witch hazel water can be used as an ingredient for topical applications,[15] but individual products are not approved as drugs. Recently, a cross between the two species has produced the hybrid Hamamelis x intermedia. Arborday.org Tree Nursery. Furthermore, when the brown fruits rupture in late summer or early fall, they can fling a single black seed as far as 30 feet into the distance. You may see a product called witch hazel water (Hamamelis water, distilled witch hazel extract). But, it’s also a star of the late winter garden. When applied to the skin, witch hazel-based toners have the potential to ease irritation, injury, and inflammation. "It has been used for generations as … Most noteworthy cultivars include Autumn Embers, Lombart’s Weeping and Sandra. The yellow, strap-like flowers of this native shrub are among the last blooms to appear in fall, but are often hidden by the leaves. [10], Native Americans used extract of witch-hazel extensively for medicinal purposes. Below, find some of our favorite witch hazel products starring this trusty ingredient. The large, rounded, dark green leaves often hang onto the winter branches. And in the fall, the shrubs’ smooth, oval leaves turn brilliant shades of red or yellow. The plant, including the crude leaf and bark, is used in a variety of forms; fluid extracts, poultice, and commonly as witch hazel water. Outstanding cultivars include Goldcrest, Crimson Gold and Superba. To use witch hazel as a toner, wash your face and dry it, or use your regular skin cleanser routine. Witch Hazel is as witchy and magical as the name suggests. It flowers in the fall, producing vivid yellow flowers. Hamamelis vernalis (Ozark witch hazel) is a 6- to 10-foot shrub hardy in zones 4 to 8. The leaves are alternately arranged, oval, 2–6 in (5.1–15.2 cm) long and 1–4 in (2.5–10.2 cm) broad, with a smooth or wavy margin. The fruit is a two-part capsule 3⁄8 inch (0.95 cm) long, containing a single 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) glossy black seed in each of the two parts; the capsule splits explosively at maturity in the autumn about 8 months after flowering, ejecting the seeds with sufficient force to fly for distances of up to 30 ft (9.1 m), thus another alternative name "Snapping Hazel". These lovely witch hazel varieties are loosely branched and medium-sized. But above all, the ‘wow factor’ for me lies in witch hazel’s unusual, spidery flowers. Sun Preference Full sun and partial shade are best for this shrub, meaning it prefers a minimum of 4 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. Thayers Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera Formula Astringents and Alcohol-Free Toners are soothing, natural treatments that cleanse, heal and preserve your skin. From late February to March, twisted yellow, red or orange flowers appear on bare stems ahead of spring foliage. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Many people use it as a decorative outdoor plant. The name witch in witch-hazel has its origins in Middle English wiche, from the Old English wice, meaning "pliant" or "bendable", and is not related to the word witch meaning a practitioner of magic. Witch-hazel is mainly used externally on hemorrhoids, minor bleed… Proponents claim that witch hazel can heal a wide range of skin troubles, such as acne , bruises, burns, hemorrhoids , inflammation , insect bites, itching, pain , and varicose veins . The leaf, bark, and twigs are used to make medicine. The leaves and bark of the North American witch-hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, may be used to produce an astringent decoction as a cooling agent for various uses in folk medicine, herbalism, and skincare products. [17] "Hawes Extract" was first produced and sold in Essex, Connecticut, in 1846, by druggist and chemist Alvan Whittemore. In Delaware where I grew up, there was a magnificent pair of hamamelis that flanked a corner of the visitor’s pavilion at Winterthur Gardens. Witch hazel is a genus of flowering plants in the family Hamamelidaceae. [19] Following his death, his two sons, Thomas N. Dickinson, Jr., of Mystic, Connecticut, and Everett E. Dickinson of Essex, each inherited parts of the family business and continued the manufacture of witch hazel extract, operating competing "Dickinson's" businesses that were continued by their descendants. There is high-quality clinical evidence, as well as use in folk medicine, suggesting witch-hazel can ease discomfort involving vaginal soreness … …an astringent produced from the leaves and bark of the North American Witch Hazel shrub (Hamamelis virginiana), which grows naturally from Nova Scotia west to Ontario, Canada and south to … It can be obtained from various parts of a witch hazel plant, from the bark to the leaves. Depending on the part of the witch hazel plant used to make it, witch hazel naturally contains between 8% and 12% tannins. The Magic of Witch Hazel. 347.52 Labeling of astringent drug products; (3) For products containing witch hazel". Witch-hazel is typically sold in pharmacies as witch-hazel water and as semisolid ointments, creams, gels, and salves. Unfolding gradually over time, their petals can last for up to a month. . Secret Witch Hazel Uses: Tone Skin. Much more common is H. mollis, which has bright yellow flowers that bloom in late winter instead of the yellow blossoms of H. virginiana which tend to be lost among the plant's fall foliage. They are popular ornamental plants, grown for their clusters of rich yellow to orange-red flowers which begin to expand in the autumn as or slightly before the leaves fall, and continue throughout the winter. Witch hazel is also known as hazel nut, snapping hazel, spotted alder, tobacco wood, winterbloom, and hamamelis water. Witch hazel is a widely known plant with a long history of use in the Americas. H. virginiana grows in the eastern part of the United States and blooms in late fall. [3] The main constituents of witch-hazel extract include calcium oxalate, gallotannins, safrole, and chemicals found in the essential oil (carvacrol, eugenol). Overview Information Witch hazel is a plant. There is more than one type of witch hazel plant. Witch hazel is a small tree native to the east coast of North America. Intensely fragrant with crooked stems and an open crown, this shrub’s flowers range in color from yellow to dark red. Hamamelis mollis, or Chinese witch hazel, is the most fragrant of all the species. Here’s a rundown of the four main species and some of their hybrids and cultivars. Botanical name: Hamamelis Commonly known as witch hazel, with its spicy fragrant, spidery flowers in shades of yellow, orange and red, Hamamelis brings colour and scent to your garden in winter.Although slow growing, they can eventually become large spreading shrubs or small trees. Because witch hazel is a natural astringent (and not the icky kind), it's commonly formulated in toners for oily and acne-prone skin types, but it more recently has been making a cameo in a wider range of products, including exfoliators, face mists, and more. Some witch hazel varieties have a loose, vase-like form while others are more rounded and compact. Witch hazel varieties produce brilliant fall color. Sources: Beginning in late February, their buds would begin to swell, revealing slivers of the first dazzling flowers. Witch-hazels or witch hazels (Hamamelis) are a genus of flowering plants in the family Hamamelidaceae, with three species in North America (H. ovalis,[1] H. virginiana, and H. vernalis), and one each in Japan (H. japonica) and China (H. mollis). [ 11 ] witch-hazel is a large shrub with a lengthy history of use in the States! Hazel nut, snapping hazel, ” says Dr. Schlessinger applied topically in order to treat swelling inflammation! Order to treat diaper rash in infants s Weeping and Sandra widely known with! But is very hardy and the addition of alcohol to the plant and. 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